D.C. area ranks high for organized retail crime

WASHINGTON – Organized theft is rising across the country, and the D.C. area is among the hardest hit, a survey says.

The Washington Examiner reports that the Baltimore-Washington region ranks second among the top 10 cities plagued by organized retail crime, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation. The high ranking reportedly stems from the area’s dense population and access to interstates.

Police in Maryland recently busted two women for reselling $20,000 worth of stolen perfume and cosmetics. Another example of retail rip-off rings is the case of two men who stole $50,000 in ink cartridges.

Prince George’s County police have asked for help finding the ink-stealing suspects, the Examiner reports.

See the federation’s list of the top cities affected by organized retail crime below: